All Blacks V Ireland: RWC South Africa 1995

[Kahu]

https://youtu.be/ysW7c9FX8Lk

Seems strange that in 9 world cups this will only be the second time these countries have met.

[mabunch78]

Knockout draws are funnel systems but both teams need to get to and stay in the funnel to maximise their chance of meeting...

[Kiwias]

The Irish prop #3 gives double blast of the finger to the ABs after scoring his try right at the start.

At 4'15", watch Mehrtens tackle Popplewell.

[Auckman]

Two things I remember from that 95 game - 1) Lomu running over Irishmen, possibly Corkery? and 2) Gary Halpin celebrating as if he'd won the world cup after scoring one in the vicinity of Fitzy.

[Kahu]

What was up with those AB tap ball moves though

Always great to see Jonah in full flight

[rugga.]

Two things I remember from that 95 game - 1) Lomu running over Irishmen, possibly Corkery? and 2) Gary Halpin celebrating as if he'd won the world cup after scoring one in the vicinity of Fitzy.

I put the photo on the match thread, 1 finger salute from both hands.

[brat]

What was up with those AB tap ball moves though

Always great to see Jonah in full flight

Such a massive shame that lomu never won a rwc

He was so exceptional in both the 95 and 99 rwcs - absolute legend

Sbw could’ve given him the medal rather than a random kid

[RoscoPColtrain]

This game, perhaps even more than the England semi illustrated just how ridiculous it was when a genetic freak like Jonah was playing in the amateur era. Literally looked like man v boys at times due to the hilarious physics of it all.

[Mr Mike]

If Ireland win in the weekend will they equal the best winning records against NZ?

IIRC

SA is 50%
Australia also 50%
France 2 from 7?

If those are correct, then they would have the best winning record in the pro era, 100%...

[comets]

If Ireland win in the weekend will they equal the best winning records against NZ?

IIRC

SA is 50%
Australia also 50%
France 2 from 7?

If those are correct, then they would have the best winning record in the pro era, 100%...

RWC only Shirley?

[DOB]

The Irish prop #3 gives double blast of the finger to the ABs after scoring his try right at the start.

At 4'15", watch Mehrtens tackle Popplewell.

Unconventional, but he got him down.

I’d forgotten how close to butchering that try Bell went.

Stat comes up with Kingston about to throw in that Ireland are on 60% on their own ball. Ireland promptly lose the line out and Jonah runs the length of the field to set up Kronfeld. We were so shit at line outs before lifting.

No particular decision that I saw in that vid (though seeing a penalty awarded to NZ for trampling all over an Irish player trapped in a ruck looks odd from a 2019 perspective) but Christ was Wayne Erickson an absolutely chronic referee.

[eugenius]

That money’s too tempting .

An insurance bet has been made $100 at $5.50 .

Win who cares .

Lose -

[Kahu]

What was up with those AB tap ball moves though

Always great to see Jonah in full flight

Such a massive shame that lomu never won a rwc

He was so exceptional in both the 95 and 99 rwcs - absolute legend

Sbw could’ve given him the medal rather than a random kid

These days I tend to think it adds to the mythology around him, the ABs and Rugby and gives hope to scrawny little guys everywhere. Of all the heroes of that 95 Springboks team I think James Small tends to garner the least attention and probably deserves it the most.

[Cartman]

Didn't Small only tackle him once after he let the ball go already?
"Tackle" - he didnt actually bring him down that one time either

[Duff Paddy]

True amateurs against full time professionals and at least one drugs cheat. Well done to the good guys

[Sandstorm]

Didn't Small only tackle him once after he let the ball go already?
"Tackle" - he didnt actually bring him down that one time either

“Stop Lomu” was his job. He did it well.

[ManInTheBar]

A few random observations:

A LOT of high floated passes across the back lines of both sides (and not very accurate) makes play LOOK 'old-fashioned'

The players appear less fit than their contemporary counterparts. Some of this is due to changes in kit perhaps but all of them (except Lomu of course), including such luminaries as Futzie are breathing hard even in the first half, lots of hands on heads throughout

The stadium is maybe half full which feels wrong for a clash of two Tier 1 sides

[DOB]

A few random observations:

A LOT of high floated passes across the back lines of both sides (and not very accurate) makes play LOOK 'old-fashioned'

The players appear less fit than their contemporary counterparts. Some of this is due to changes in kit perhaps but all of them (except Lomu of course), including such luminaries as Futzie are breathing hard even in the first half, lots of hands on heads throughout

The stadium is maybe half full which feels wrong for a clash of two Tier 1 sides

On points 1 and 2, they were all still amateur rugby players with day jobs. Only technically, in the cases of some, but even the ones who would have been full-time at the time, wouldn't have had nearly the level of conditioning or skills coaching that you'd expect from a modern test setup.

I do think the difference in speed of ball movement is clear between the NZ and Irish backlines.

[Kiwias]

No particular decision that I saw in that vid (though seeing a penalty awarded to NZ for trampling all over an Irish player trapped in a ruck looks odd from a 2019 perspective) but Christ was Wayne Erickson an absolutely chronic referee.

The penalty was for the Irish player lying across the ball preventing its quick release. All our boys were doing was giving him some gentle* encouragement to move more quickly.




* no blood was drawn.

[DOB]

No particular decision that I saw in that vid (though seeing a penalty awarded to NZ for trampling all over an Irish player trapped in a ruck looks odd from a 2019 perspective) but Christ was Wayne Erickson an absolutely chronic referee.

The penalty was for the Irish player lying across the ball preventing its quick release. All our boys were doing was giving him some gentle* encouragement to move more quickly.




* no blood was drawn.

Oh I know, just odd not seeing the penalty reversed and the stampers yellow carded after lots of fingers-in-ears and "Wayne, mate, wanna draw yer attention to some faaaal play" and a 5 minute delay in the match.

Cue lots of "Bring Back Rucking" and "Game's gone soft!" posts from the older posters.

[EverReady]

Much like the mystical Kiwi rituals of the haka and not pulling grass the two fingered salute in Ireland is a respectful Celtic ritual and says to the opposition 'Come a little bit closer baby, get it on, get it on cause tonight is the night when two become one'.

[merlin the happy pig]

Knockout draws are funnel systems but both teams need to get to and stay in the funnel to maximise their chance of meeting...

This is true. THE IRISH DON'T LIKE THE FUNNEL.

But they're enormously fond of gerbilling, and I don't see how you can do THAT without a funnel.

[Couch]

https://youtu.be/ysW7c9FX8Lk

Seems strange that in 9 world cups this will only be the second time these countries have met.

They should rename this match Jonah Lomu vs his bitches

[RoscoPColtrain]

True amateurs against full time professionals and at least one drugs cheat. Well done to the good guys

Go on

[Tuivasa]

If Ireland win in the weekend will they equal the best winning records against NZ?

IIRC

SA is 50%
Australia also 50%
France 2 from 7?

If those are correct, then they would have the best winning record in the pro era, 100%...

Huh? 95 and 99?
We won 2003, 2015 and 2019.

[Toro]

If Ireland win in the weekend will they equal the best winning records against NZ?

IIRC

SA is 50%
Australia also 50%
France 2 from 7?

If those are correct, then they would have the best winning record in the pro era, 100%...

Huh? 95 and 99?
We won 2003, 2015 and 2019.

Playoffs.

[Flyin Ryan]

Knockout draws are funnel systems but both teams need to get to and stay in the funnel to maximise their chance of meeting...

Still, if you're not in the same tier in the draw, which NZ and Ireland mostly haven't, it's a 25% shot you'll get drawn together.

The U.S. and Wales have never played one another in the Rugby World Cup in the 8 tournaments the Eagles have been in. In contrast, we've played England 4 times.

[Kahu]

The ABs have played the Italians 6* times in pool play in 9 Cups.

No wonder they thought they had a shot of finally winning. Poor buggers lol